SB 25-042: Behavioral Health Crisis Response Recommendations - Colorado

Revised (03/12/2025) → PA1 (02/07/2025) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the legislative declaration and stakeholder group convening requirements. The original version focused on identifying existing resources and making information publicly available by June 30, 2026. The amended version adds a requirement to identify reimbursement shortages and funding gaps, expands the stakeholder group composition to include specific provider types, and moves the deadline to December 31, 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include analysis of reimbursement gaps and funding options in addition to identifying existing behavioral health crisis response programs.

TIMELINE

The deadline for convening a stakeholder group was changed from June 30, 2026 to December 31, 2025.

REQUIREMENT

The stakeholder group must now identify reimbursement shortages and gaps in the behavioral health crisis response continuum of care.

The stakeholder group must identify state and federal funding options to address identified shortages and gaps.

The stakeholder group composition was expanded to include representatives from pediatric health care, agencies, and other specific provider types.

DEFINITION

The legislative declaration was modified to emphasize the lack of a repository for information about behavioral health crisis response resources.

Rerevised (03/13/2025) → Revised (03/12/2025) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to update its title page information and add new substantive requirements for the Department of Public Safety and Behavioral Health Administration. These agencies must now consult with stakeholders to identify existing resources and model programs, compile this information, and make it publicly available. Additionally, a specific deadline was established for completing this task.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new requirement for agencies to actively identify and share resources and model programs with the public.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for the Department of Public Safety and Behavioral Health Administration to consult with stakeholders to identify existing resources and model programs specific to community needs.

Added a requirement for the agencies to compile information about identified resources and model programs and make it publicly available.

TIMELINE

Added a deadline of June 30, 2026 for the Department to complete the consultation with the Behavioral Health Administration.

TECHNICAL

Updated the title page to change 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED' and updated the amendment status language to reflect 'Adopted on Second Reading in the Second House'.

Final Act (03/20/2025) → Rerevised (03/13/2025) · 9 edits

MAJOR

The bill was reorganized and amended to address Colorado's behavioral health crisis response by adding new data collection requirements, expanding reimbursement provisions for mental health treatment, and clarifying discharge procedures for emergency mental health holds. The revised version includes more specific reporting timelines, stakeholder consultation requirements, and funding mechanisms compared to the original draft.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include additional state agencies (Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and Department of Public Health and Environment) in reporting requirements, and the reimbursement provision was modified to include an average length of stay limitation.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for BHA to include discharge reasons in annual reports for emergency mental health holds

New requirement for behavioral health entities to report medical and behavioral health-care capabilities to BHA by December 31, 2025

Added annual behavioral health data interoperability reporting requirement from October 1, 2025 through October 1, 2030

Evaluation requirements for emergency mental health holds changed from optional assessment to mandatory assessment

Transfer conditions for emergency mental health hold patients now require appropriate medical care availability at receiving facility

New stakeholder consultation requirements including pediatric health care representatives and emergency response services

FISCAL

Reimbursement for inpatient mental health treatment now limited to 60 days with average length of stay not exceeding 30 days per calendar year

TIMELINE

Extended reporting timeline for behavioral health data interoperability from 2027 to 2025-2030

DEFINITION

Clarified that facilities must provide appropriate medical care when transferring patients under emergency mental health holds

Signed Act (03/26/2025) → Final Act (03/20/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill makes minor formatting and spacing corrections to Senate Bill 25-042, which establishes alternative response programs for behavioral health crisis situations. The changes include fixing typos, adjusting spacing around text, and correcting capitalization inconsistencies throughout the document.

TECHNICAL

Fixed a typo in the sponsor list, changing 'REPRESENTATNE(S)' to 'REPRESENTATIVE(S)'.

Adjusted spacing and capitalization in several sections, such as removing extra spaces before 'NO LATER THAN' and 'THE REIMBURSEMENT SHORTAGES'.

Corrected spacing in the repeal section, changing 'JANUARY 1,2027' to 'JANUARY 1, 2027' for proper date formatting.

Reengrossed (02/18/2025) → Signed Act (03/26/2025) · 6 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was reengrossed with significant amendments that expanded stakeholder participation, clarified reporting requirements, and added specific protections for emergency mental health holds. The changes shift the focus from a general stakeholder group to a more comprehensive list of required participants, including community providers and emergency services representatives. Additionally, the bill now explicitly requires hospitals to include assessment determinations in emergency mental health evaluations and adds protections for patients transferred between facilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a broader range of stakeholders in the behavioral health crisis response planning process and added specific requirements for hospital discharge procedures during emergency mental health holds.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the stakeholder group composition to require representation from comprehensive community behavioral health providers, essential safety net providers, family resource centers, domestic violence programs, substance use treatment providers, independent clinicians, pediatric health care representatives, and emergency medical services organizations.

Added requirement that hospitals must only discharge patients from emergency mental health holds if they no longer meet hold criteria, with an exception allowing transfer to another hospital that agrees to accept the patient.

Changed the language regarding emergency mental health evaluations from 'may include' to 'must include' an assessment determining if the person continues to meet hold criteria.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for compiling stakeholder information and developing recommendations from December 31, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

REPORTING

Added requirement for the department to submit compiled information and recommendations to any impacted state agency in addition to the annual report to legislative committees.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized statute numbering and formatting to align with Colorado Revised Statutes structure, including adding new sections and repealing an existing section.

Engrossed (02/14/2025) → Reengrossed (02/18/2025) · 3 edits · Feb 18, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to add new co-sponsors and update the title page to reflect that it includes all amendments adopted in the House of Introduction. The substantive scope of the bill remains unchanged, as the removed text was part of a summary note that did not reflect the final bill language.

TECHNICAL

Added new co-sponsors to the Senate sponsorship list: Ball, Bridges, Coleman, Danielson, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Rodriguez, Snyder, Sullivan, Weissman, and Winter F.

Updated the title page header from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' and changed the description to indicate amendments were adopted in the House of Introduction rather than on Second Reading.

Removed a note about the bill summary that included placeholder text for third reading status and a disclaimer about future amendments.

Introduced (01/08/2025) → Engrossed (02/14/2025) · 3 edits · Feb 18, 2025

MINOR

The bill was amended to reorganize the stakeholder group requirements and add new categories of representatives, including those from local behavioral health programs, family resource centers, and domestic violence services. The amendment also clarifies the stakeholder group's duties to identify reimbursement gaps and funding options alongside existing resources. These changes aim to broaden community representation and ensure a more comprehensive approach to addressing behavioral health crisis response funding.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include additional stakeholder categories and added specific responsibilities regarding reimbursement gaps and funding options.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the stakeholder group composition requirements to list specific new categories of representatives including local behavioral health programs, family resource centers, and domestic violence services.

Added a new requirement for the stakeholder group to identify reimbursement shortages, gaps within the continuum of care, and available funding options at state and federal levels.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill status from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' and updated committee assignments to include Appropriations.

Behavioral Health Crisis Response Recommendations

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